Donna B. Peck

If you were lucky enough to know Donna Belle (Cull) Peck, then the chances are good that she made it onto your Top 10 List of the best people you know. Donna was born in Erie, PA, on June 23, 1946, to the great Isabelle (Marquardt) and Donald Cull. She spent her childhood playing with cousins and neighborhood friends, and also her dolls long after the other girls had packed them away. It would be a foreshadowing of the dedicated, loving mother she would become. On November 8, 2024, six weeks after a fall at home, Donna, 78, passed away surrounded by her family at Baldwinville Nursing Home.
After graduating from Erie's Academy High School, class of 1964, and Hamot School of Nursing, Donna joined the Army. She was sent to Vietnam where she cared for wounded soldiers at the Long Binh 24th Evac Hospital and fell in love with Thomas Peck, her husband of 55 years. Upon returning to the US, they immediately married and settled in Westminster, MA. She put her career on pause for a decade to raise children before returning to nursing at NCCI Gardner and the Templeton Developmental Center. She said that raising children was the toughest and most rewarding job she ever had, so she always approached other moms with words of encouragement.
Her children, Shannen (Doug) Rhoda, Shauna (Michael) Slome, and Shamus Peck, won the mother lottery. Donna was the best "Mumu" to Molly, Amper, Jason, Gideon, Joshua, Ava and Bee. She also leaves behind so many wonderful friends who were like family. In addition to her parents, Donna was predeceased by her brother, David Cull, sister-in-law, Carol Peck, and close friend, Esther Picone.
A prolific watercolor artist, Donna won more prize ribbons than she could count. She loved drinking tea and watching the birds from her gazebo. She was a faithful letter writer, sending encouraging, newsy letters to friends and family. A skilled bargain hunter, Donna was competitive about cutting coupons and hitting blue light specials. Though her car looked cluttered, she could pull just the thing anyone needed from her trunk or back seat, and got joy from sharing gifts with all who knew her. Donna's time in the Army was later featured in the book and play "A Piece of My Heart: The Stories of 26 American Women Who Served in Vietnam".
Most of all Donna loved Jesus, and one couldn't help but be reminded of him in her presence. She filled every room she entered with a palpable love. As a member of Westminster's First Baptist Church for over thirty years, she gave generously of her time and talents teaching Sunday School, joining Beth Moore Bible studies, filling Christmas shoeboxes, helping with the youth group, and meeting needs wherever she saw them.
In lieu of flowers, go and love your neighbor as yourself. Hug a stranger. Invite someone lonely to do something fun. Maybe paint a picture. Any donations may be sent to Westminster First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 396, Westminster, MA 01473.
Since Donna used every color in her artwork, please wear your favorite color to celebrate her life with us. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, November 13, from 4-7pm at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St, Leominster. A funeral service will be held at noon on Thursday, November 14, at Westminster First Baptist Church, 117 Main St, followed by burial at Woodside Cemetery, and a reception (location TBA).
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